Episode 51 - Navigating Code Changes: What Every Builder Should Know

Building codes are constantly evolving — are you ready for what’s next? In this episode, McElroy Metal sits down with the experts from Z-tech Consulting to discuss key 2025 IBC and energy code updates, how they impact metal roofing and wall assemblies, and what every builder, architect, and specifier should know to stay compliant and competitive.

  • 44 min

Episode 51: Navigating Code Changes: What Every Builder Should Know

The Building with Metal Podcast – Presented by McElroy Metal

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Notable Quotes

• Bob Zabcik on industry collaboration: "I know the folks at the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers really well. I know the people at Single Ply Roofing Institute really well. They know me. We work together. We answer each other's questions. It's a very behind-the-scenes and very collaborative effort, and I'm very proud to be part of it."
• Bob Zabcik on staying current with code changes: "Stay in touch with your manufacturer, stay up to date on that documentation. And as the code changes come into fruition, that's where the rubber's gonna meet the road for the installers."
• Bob Zabcik on the future of building design: "You're already seeing BIM programs that can design a building from a prompt. They have a long way to go at this stage, but to think of where they are now versus five years, if you project that out another five years, ten years, those things could be really important and really help reinforce the sturdiness, durability of these structures."

What You'll Learn

• How the International Building Code development process works from initial proposal through final adoption
• The difference between model codes and delegated standards, and why both matter for construction projects
• Why code adoption varies dramatically between states and how to identify requirements for your jurisdiction
• What do whole-building air barrier testing requirements mean for metal roof and wall installations
• How manufacturer details and preferred installer programs help ensure field performance matches tested specifications
• The distinction between prescriptive and performance-based code paths and where the industry is heading
• Why insurance companies are driving stricter envelope performance standards for wind and water resistance
• How emerging technologies, including shake table testing and AI-driven design tools, will reshape construction

Key Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction to the Building with Metal podcast and overview of building code challenges facing contractors, architects, and building owners.

[01:30] Bob Zabcik shares his background as an engineer, his 23 years with a major metal building manufacturer, and his transition to founding Z-tech Consulting in 2020.

[05:00] Overview of the Metal Construction Association's role in the metal roof and wall cladding industry, including work with steel, aluminum, and natural metals like copper and zinc.

[08:00] Explanation of how model codes and standards differ, and why codes only become enforceable once adopted by a jurisdiction through ordinance or state law.

[15:00] Deep dive into the ICC code development process, including the three-year cycle, Group A and Group B hearings, and how proposals move from initial submission to final approval.

[24:00] Discussion of state-by-state code adoption variations, from state-mandated codes to home rule states, and the role of insurance requirements in coastal communities.

[32:00] Impact of increased wind loads and ASCE 7 requirements on metal roofing, with emphasis on manufacturer details, preferred installer programs, and MCA's certified roof installer initiative.

[40:00] Energy code changes, including whole building air barrier testing requirements and the shift from insulation-focused compliance to integrated performance testing.

[48:00] Explanation of prescriptive versus performance-based code paths and how virtual testing technologies are changing building design validation.

[54:00] Overview of the Steel Framing Industry Association's 10-story shake table test at UC San Diego, demonstrating cold-formed steel building performance under simulated earthquake conditions.

Mentioned Resources

• International Code Council (ICC)
• ICC Digital Codes
• Code Change Proposal Database
• Metal Construction Association (MCA)
• METALCON Exhibition and Conference
• ASTM International
• ASCE 7 – Minimum Design Loads Standard
• ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
• U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Program
• National Building Code of Canada – Codes Canada
• Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA)
• UC San Diego Shake Table – Englekirk Structural Engineering Center
• Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA)
• Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI)
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory

• McElroy Metal Website
• Connect with the host Kathi Miller on LinkedIn

Episode Deep Dive

Understanding the complex world of building codes can feel overwhelming for contractors, architects, and building owners alike. The constant updates, varying state requirements, and technical standards create a landscape that demands attention but rarely receives the clarity it deserves. Bob Zabcik, founder of Z-tech Consulting and technical director for the Metal Construction Association, recently joined the Building with Metal podcast to shed light on how codes develop, what changes are coming, and how construction professionals can stay ahead of the curve.

Zabcik brings a unique perspective to this conversation. After earning his engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989, he spent over two decades with a major metal building manufacturer, eventually rising to director of research and development. His journey through design engineering, software development, standards work, and R&D gave him front-row seats to how the industry evolves. In 2020, he launched his own consulting firm and began serving as technical director for MCA, where he now helps shape the future of metal construction standards.

How Do Building Codes Become Law?

The foundation of understanding building codes lies in recognizing that these documents hold no power until a jurisdiction adopts them. "They effectively become law," Zabcik explains, comparing the process to congressional legislation. The transparency required in code development mirrors what we expect from our lawmakers, ensuring that affected parties can prepare for changes before they take effect.

The consolidation of multiple regional codes into the International Building Code during the 2000s simplified what had been a fragmented landscape of six or seven model codes. Today, the IBC and its companion documents covering fire, plumbing, and energy performance all fall under the International Code Council umbrella. This model code serves as a template that jurisdictions can adopt, though the path from proposal to adoption remains complex.

What Is the ICC Code Development Process?

The ICC maintains a structured process that Zabcik likens to a reality competition show. "You start out with proposals, and they might hear as many as 1,000 code change proposals over a two-week hearing session at the very beginning. Then towards the end, that gets whittled down to a few hundred." Proponents and opponents each get time at the microphone, committees vote on recommendations, and ultimately the governmental body of code officials makes final decisions. The entire cycle spans three years, with two and a half years dedicated to development and the remaining time focused on publishing and cleanup.

This process requires significant commitment from those seeking changes. Someone must be willing to travel, take time away from work, and defend proposals before the committee. This reality drives industry associations like MCA to represent collective interests, concentrating efforts and resources to advocate for improvements that benefit the broader metal construction community.

How Do State Building Code Adoption Requirements Vary?

State adoption adds another layer of complexity. Zabcik describes two extremes in how states handle codes. Some set requirements at the state level with no municipal discretion, while others operate as home rule states where the state remains largely absent from adoption and enforcement. Most states fall somewhere in between, creating situations that can confuse contractors working across jurisdictions.

Texas provides an instructive example. While databases might show IBC 2018 as the standard, Zabcik notes that this represents more of a minimum requirement driven largely by insurance industry demands for coastal communities. Individual municipalities can adopt whatever codes they choose, meaning contractors must check with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for each specific project location. "Wherever you are in the United States, there should be an AHJ ," Zabcik advises, "and that's the first place to start."

What Wind Load and Testing Requirements Apply to Metal Roofing?

For metal roofing and wall systems specifically, the industry faces increased scrutiny driven by storm losses and rising replacement costs. Changes to wind load requirements in ASCE 7 and more stringent testing standards have ripple effects throughout the supply chain. Manufacturers must retest products, update details, and ensure that documented performance manifests correctly in field installations.

"As manufacturers, the way we do that is we publish details," Zabcik explains. "The wealth of information that's in these details is just phenomenal, and to think that that's freely available for download kind of blows my mind sometimes." He emphasizes that contractors must keep this information readily accessible and stay current as test requirements evolve. Preferred installer programs help manufacturers train installers on product-specific nuances and maintain direct communication channels for solving unique field problems.

Why Are Edge Metal Standards Changing?

The edge metal standard currently moving through the code process illustrates how the industry addresses identified weaknesses. Storm investigations revealed that while metal panels generally perform well, problems tend to concentrate at hips, valleys, and perimeter edges. MCA's work to develop testing standards for these elements aims to close these gaps and improve overall system performance.

How Are Energy Codes Evolving for Commercial Buildings?

Energy codes present perhaps the most dynamic area of change. The International Energy Conservation Code now operates on its own parallel process due to the volume of proposals it generates. The shift from prescriptive insulation requirements toward whole building performance testing represents a fundamental change in how compliance is measured.

"If you go back ten years, we were all focused on insulation levels and U-factors and R-values and all that modeling," Zabcik recalls. "What we found is that we made those improvements and weren't getting the results we hoped for in the field." Cost-effectiveness concerns around 60-year paybacks on buildings that might not last that long prompted a search for alternative approaches.

What Is Air Barrier Testing and Why Does It Matter?

Air barrier testing emerged as a key solution. The technology itself is not new, as pressurizing buildings to identify air leaks has long served as a troubleshooting tool. What changed is the requirement to hit specific performance targets rather than simply achieving the best possible result. This shift demands that contractors understand which details have been tested and proven to perform, using them consistently to avoid failed tests on completed buildings.

"I've found myself and my clients quite a bit early on in situations where they failed this whole building test miserably and the thing's done, dried in," Zabcik notes. "Getting testing out in time before interior finishes go up is crucial. It's a lot easier to solve that problem way before you get to that point."

What Is the Difference Between Prescriptive and Performance-Based Building Codes?

The distinction between prescriptive and performance-based code paths will increasingly shape how construction professionals approach compliance. Prescriptive requirements provide checkbox-style verification based on historical experience, while performance requirements focus on actual building outcomes over time. Zabcik points to the National Building Code of Canada as an excellent example of how these approaches can coexist, with clear statements of intent paired with prescribed solutions known to achieve those goals.

How Will Technology Change Building Code Compliance?

Emerging technologies promise to transform this landscape further. Virtual modeling capabilities that can simulate seismic events, wind loads, and other stresses are advancing rapidly. The Steel Framing Industry Association's recent shake table test at UC San Diego demonstrated these possibilities dramatically. A 10-story cold-formed steel building was subjected to simulated earthquake conditions based on actual accelerometer records from events like the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, then set on fire to test fire performance. The instrumented testing provided unprecedented data on how these systems perform under extreme conditions.

"Not only is it really cool to see, it gave us tremendous amount of information about the performance of those systems under those extreme environments," Zabcik says. The ability to connect real-time shake table results to static load testing in other laboratories opens possibilities for validating new solutions against proven performance data.

Will AI Impact Building Design and Code Compliance?

Artificial intelligence will inevitably play a role in this evolution. "You're already seeing BIM programs that can design a building from a prompt," Zabcik observes. While acknowledging these tools have significant development ahead, he projects that within a decade they could meaningfully contribute to producing more durable structures that better protect human life.

How Are Insurance Companies Influencing Building Codes?

Insurance companies are driving much of the current push for improved envelope performance. Their focus extends beyond wind resistance to include water infiltration during and after weather events, where significant damage often occurs even when the building envelope sustains only minor wind damage. This pressure translates into dozens of code change proposals across different codes and jurisdictions.

How Can Contractors Stay Current with Building Code Changes?

For contractors seeking to stay current, Zabcik offers practical advice. Rather than attending code hearings, which can consume weeks of time, he recommends maintaining close relationships with manufacturers who track these changes and update their documentation accordingly. "As the code changes come into fruition, that's where the rubber's gonna meet the road for the installers," he emphasizes. Training employees, following manufacturer details, and staying engaged with preferred installer programs positions contractors to adapt smoothly as requirements evolve.

The collaborative nature of the roofing industry serves everyone well through these transitions. Despite representing competing materials, professionals at organizations like the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association and the Single Ply Roofing Institute maintain working relationships with their counterparts in metal construction. They answer each other's questions and work together behind the scenes on shared challenges. This cooperation ultimately benefits building owners and the entire construction market.

Building codes will continue evolving as technology advances, climate challenges intensify, and the industry learns from both successes and failures. Contractors who view code compliance as a partnership with manufacturers, stay engaged with industry associations, and prioritize ongoing education position themselves not just to meet requirements but to deliver the performance that building owners and insurers increasingly demand. The codes themselves merely establish minimums; the opportunity lies in understanding why those standards exist and building beyond them.